Friday Kiss ~ June 23

 #FridayKiss ~ This week's word is LIKE

His uncle stared at the ceiling, seemingly deep in thought. “Were you not leery something like this might happen when she asked you to join her outside?”

“She did not request my presence, I followed,” he explained. “I thought she would catch a chill.”

Uncle Robert snapped his attention to him.“You followed her.”

It was a statement, not a question.

“Yes.”

His uncle began to laugh. Brow furrowed, Darcy could only watch and wonder what was going on in his uncle’s mind. Finally, the earl stood and held out his hand. Surprised, Darcy put down his drink and accepted the handshake.

“I wish you well in your marriage, Darcy,” he said before exiting the room. “You are going to need it.”

Compromise & Consequence

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Friday Kiss ~ June 16

#FridayKiss Today's word is LIFE

This scene is from Compromise & Consequence.

“Although my actions belied my words, I now know the first time I beheld you my heart was lost forever, and, fool that I was, I fought to push those feelings away. I love you, Elizabeth Darcy. You have bewitched me body and soul. Never will you ever hear me say a word against you or your family. You love them and because of that, I will always treasure them in my heart, for through their love and care, your character was formed. And I love your character almost as much as I love your form, your vivaciousness, your laugh, and your fine eyes.”

“Goodness, Mr. Darcy,” she teased with a slight smile. “When you put your mind to it, you can be quite charming. Are you sure you would rather not have a reset of our beginning and find a wife who would not give you so much heartache and turmoil?”

“No!”

“No?”

“Absolutely not! If none of this happened, I would still be miserable and in want of a wife.”

“You cannot be sure of that.”

“All my adult life I have searched for a woman like you and if I had not accepted the invitation from Bingley to come to Hertfordshire, I most assuredly would still be a single man, haunting one crowded ballroom after another, seeking the other half of my heart.”

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Friday Kiss ~ June 2

Today's word for #FridayKiss is 'tangle'.

On the groom's side of the chapel were the earl's former in-laws, Lord and Lady Sunderland, who sat with a very excited Lady Cassandra. Mrs. Bennet’s heart swelled with love when she saw Lord Holcomb’s daughter. She was such a polite and adorable child, yet filled with a nervous kind of energy. In some ways, she resembled Elizabeth when she was younger; always questioning and curious. Mrs. Bennet couldn’t count the number of times she wished for nightfall to find some peace from the endless questions like, ‘Why does a cricket’s leg bend backward?’ or ‘How do clouds stay afloat?’ Even when Mrs. Bennet checked on her children before bed, she often found Elizabeth in a tangle of sheets, still exploring in her sleep. The man who married her would need lots of patience to quell her curiosity. She blushed a little at the thought of how her husband had calmed her nerves when they first were married.

Fanny looked at Lord Holcomb – Henry – waiting patiently near the altar for his bride. At the time of Mr. Bingley’s defection, she had despaired of her Jane ever finding happiness, but now that she’d met the earl, Fanny could not even begin to imagine her eldest daughter married to anyone else. Henry was faithful and true and valued Jane for more than her beauty, something Fanny had erroneously thought was the only valuable asset her daughter owned. Fortunately, the earl had seen beyond the physical and sought the woman beneath the skin.

Standing next to Henry was Mr. Darcy. Now, this was something Fanny had not expected. She knew the earl had lost almost all his immediate family to an influenza outbreak a few years ago, so there was no brother to stand with him. She reasoned, however, if Mr. Darcy’s courtship with Elizabeth progressed further, the two men would become brothers through marriage, which created its own perfect symmetry.

Mrs. Bennet assessed the proud mien of Mr. Darcy. No one could deny the gentleman’s attractive appearance, but his prideful bearing was, at times, difficult to overlook. Would he have the capacity and patience to handle Elizabeth’s unparalleled enthusiasm for life? When she posed this question after being informed of their courtship, Mr. Bennet assured her if their daughter accepted a marriage proposal, she would have a very content life. Her husband explained Elizabeth’s joie de vivre was precisely what the man from Derbyshire needed to soften his somber disposition. Fanny suddenly chuckled and hoped the fastidious man did not mind tangled bed cloths.

The church door opened and Elizabeth entered to begin the procession. Fanny happened to catch sight of Mr. Darcy’s expression upon seeing her second daughter walk down the aisle and sighed with satisfaction. He would not mind tangled sheets at all.

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Friday Kiss ~ May 26

#FridayKiss is from An Unwitting Compromise. This week's word is 'image'.

Bennet laced his fingers over his stomach and stared at Darcy.

“I still do not like you, Mr. Darcy. You were proud and disdainful when here last believing that you were above those who have little beauty and no fashion and should receive neither your attention nor pleasure. I believe those were your words after meeting us at the Assembly, were they not, sir?”

“I cannot recall saying those exact words,” Darcy said through stiff lips.

“Of course, you do. It is a reflection of your base nature. After you left, some of the servants from Netherfield regaled our servants with your little quips and observations. I have written them down in my journal.” He tapped a ledger on his desk. “My favorite is when speaking of my Lizzy and her proclaimed beauty, I believe you said, ‘She a beauty? I would as soon call her mother a wit.’ Ring any bells?”

He absolutely did say something along those lines and felt a fresh wave of shame wash over him. To think at one time this was how he viewed Elizabeth and her family made him ill.

“Your other insult was not so secretive. Everyone in Meryton knew my Lizzy was not handsome enough to tempt you. That to dance with a young lady who had been slighted by other gentlemen would be a punishment. Do you care for me to continue with how you perceived our quaint, rustic village?”

“No, you have said quite enough, Mr. Bennet.”

Having his words tossed back in his face was like having a mirror shoved before his face. A mirror that reflected what was in a person’s true heart, and his likeness had shown a demon from hell. It shocked him to the core. When had his pride become so great, he thought himself above so many good and honest people?

“So, you see, Mr. Darcy. I do not like you. One heartfelt apology does not negate the image you projected to us poor, ill-educated savages.”

“No, sir. It does not.”

“However, I will accept your apologies.”

“Thank you.” Darcy rose to leave, inherently knowing their meeting was over. About to exit the room, Bennet called after him.

“Tell your faithful follower if he ever comes to his senses, he need not apologize. Not that I expect him to. He seems to be a feckless young man, led about the nose by his willful sister. However, I would ensure your sister stays away from him as he might break her heart. I have been told by Elizabeth that she is as gentle as my Jane and they are the ones he seems to prey upon.”

All Darcy could do was nod and take his leave.

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